Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-05-26
THE MILLER FARM.
A Clear Definition OF the Proper Use q
the Public Domain.

A Clear Definition OF the Proper Use OF
the Public Domain.
In 1878 Guilford Miller settled on one
hundred and sixty acres of land in
Washington Territory, fifty miles from
the line of the Northern Pacific rail-
road. He complied with the law regu-
lating the settlement of the public
lands, and went to work to improve his
homestead.
In 1885, after Miller had occupied
and worked his farm for seven years,
the Northern Pacific railroad set up q
claim to it. Miller Indignantly resist
ed the grasp of the big corporation and
the case was appealed to the General
Land Office at Washington. Of course
the Northern Pacific would not have
gone to such trouble merely to get pos
session of Guilford Miller's little one
hundred and sixty acres But there
are thousands of farmers along the line
of that railroad who settled their lands
just as Guilford Miller settled his. If
Miller could be dislodged all those Of
his class would be at the mercy of the
railroad. The case had been hanging
up in the Land Office nearly two years
until President Cleveland wrote to Sec
rotary Lamar letter declaring that he
thought Guilford Miller was clearly en-
titled to his farm and asking the Secre-
tary to protect him in it's possession.
The letter of the President is very
clear and strong in its, expressions as
to the proper use Of the public domain.
He refers with severe disapprobation
to the withdrawal of millions of acres
of public lands since. 1872 from the
States, and the placing of them be-
yond the reach of citizens who desire
to settle them. The President alludes
to one of the most fragrant abuses
| which obtained in the Land Office
during Republican rule. when he says
| Under the former orders and action of tn,
Interior Department. this. has been done fol
| the benefit of railroad corporation having M
| fixed, certain or definite interests in. sucl
lands. In this manner the benefcent policy
| and intention of the Government in relation Il
| the public domain have for all these years beef
| thwarted. After the lapse Of seventeen year
| this large body OF the public domain is still
held in reserve, to the exclusion of settlers, fo
| the convenience OF q corporation DCQeuClary Oh
the Government and awaiting it's selection
| though it is entirely certain that much OF thi
reserved land can never be honestly claimed
| by said corporation.
| A much-needed, reform in the man
agement and distribution of the publ,
lands is promised in these words:
Such condition of the public lands should n,
| longer continue. So, far as it is the result o
| executive rules and methods these should b,
abandon ned; and so far as it is a consequence o
| improvident laws these; should be repealed O
| amended.
President Cleveland's action in thu
matter will give a feeling of security t.
thousands of settlers whom the ques
tionable methods, of the Land Office az
administered by Republican officials
had greatly alarmed. That Office hat
long stood sorely in need of cleaning
out from top to- bottom. The presen
Administration. has begun the, worl
bravely and has already removed man.
abuses. A. complete cleaning out o
the Land Office will yet be accom-
plished. President Cleveland's actioI
in the Miller case shows how watchfu
Democracy is of the rights of the hum
blest citizen, and how ready it is to en-
force the. laws with the most fearfes
honesty.-AtldxtG Constitution.